Page 9 - PA Apr-June 2016 (22-6-2016)

What is the DNA of a great leader? Although everyone has a personal list, there is at least some consensus on the common qualities of a great leader. A leader and capturing the food to sustain the group. is one who knows the As the human society progressed, way, goes the way and human activities progressed as well but the need of groups to achieve a particular task and the shows the way. need for a leader persisted. With the specialisation of the groups and diversified objectives, qualities required in a leader also became ccording to the dictionary, very specific with each group. By leadership means the definition, a leader is ‘a person A position or function of who influences a group of people a leader, a person who guides or towards the achievement of a goal.’ directs a group, ability to lead or act According to this definition, there or instance of leading, guidance or are three basic requirements, person direction. (who is the25 leader), purpose and group of people. The need for a leader is not new or nothing which has evolved Person with the development of civilised society. Leaders were needed in Whether a person becomes a leader the early stages of human history because he/she holds a position as well, although the qualities of authority or he/she holds that required to become a leader of the position because of his/her qualities. group were quite different then. It A position of leadership is no is said that “man is a social animal” guarantee of leadership and we all and man realised very early that know many such examples where living and hunting for food alone certain people are in the leadership is not a good idea to safeguard positions but are not capable of against the predators and other leading the group or organisation. dangers. Early humans realised that if they live in groups, it would To be considered a leader, a person be easier to hunt for food and Strategic should have a vision to achieve the they can depend on each other in objective of the group and should realised with the formation of the retreat is as be capable of leading the group times of need. Need of leaders was towards the objective. According groups as someone is required to to American author, speaker and coordinate the efforts of the group important pastor John C. Maxwell, “A leader to achieve the goal, be it hunting is one who knows the way, goes the for food or accomplishing any in a war as a way and shows the way.” A leader other task. Leader of the group was should not lead from behind but typically the best hunter among charge. from the front and should be able the group who was best at finding to lead by example. April - June 2016 The Pakistan Accountant 7pril - June 2016 The Pakistan Accountant 7 A